Goodrich family returns to bury sisters

Saturday

May 4, 2013 at 12:14 AMMay 4, 2013 at 12:15 PM

Although the late Dr. Howard Brant Goodrich, a well-known local doctor, moved his family to Florida many years ago, 26 family members have gathered in Hannibal for the joint burial of two of Dr. Goodrich's daughters.

Bev Darrbev.darr@courierpost.com

Although the late Dr. Howard Brant Goodrich, a well-known local doctor, moved his family to Florida many years ago, 26 family members have gathered in Hannibal for the joint burial of two of Dr. Goodrich's daughters. The sisters, Jane Baldwin Goodrich Hurst and Sydney Roy Goodrich Burkhart, died in 2010 and 2012, respectively. And this year their children decided to bring their ashes back for a joint burial at the Goodrich family plot in Mount Olivet Cemetery."This is to bring the two of them home," said Jane Hurst's daughter, Alison Hurst. "The important thing is they are coming home to be buried with their mother, who died when she was 34 years old."They loved Hannibal and had a lot of memories," Alison said about her mother and aunt. This week the family group went to the location of the Goodrich home at 1231 Bird Street, which burned years ago. "They had a huge tree that burned down also," she said. "They had wonderful stories about the tree and Hannibal."Alison came from Washington, D.C., with her husband and two children. Other relatives came from Washington State, Virginia, New York State and Texas, along with elsewhere in Missouri.Alison explained that her grandfather, Dr. Goodrich, had a medical practice in Hannibal from about 1925 to 1950. He had moved to Hannibal to marry Mary Sydney Roy, and they raised their family at the home on Bird Street. Her grandmother was the daughter of Sidney J. and Jenny Curry Roy, a Hannibal family.Dr. Goodrich had three children with Mary, the two sisters being buried May 4, and their brother, the Rev. Howard Brant Goodrich Jr."My grandmother died at age 34 in around 1934 and he (Dr. Goodrich) remarried Ruth Averill Parks," Alison said. They raised the five Goodrich children, including Ruth (Honey) and Averill Goodrich.Rev. Goodrich brought his wife, Darlene (Barrett) and daughter, Darla, to Hannibal, this week. All three are ministers in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Alison explained.The family gathering includes Ruth (Honey) Goodrich and her husband, Bob Partlow, who are both Episcopalian ministers.On May 4 the family has a busy schedule, including the 9 a.m. committal service at Mount Olivet Cemetery.They will take a Mark Twain Riverboat excursion, and will tour the 1937 Goodrich home at 1000 Country Club Drive, with Steve and Beth Carroll as their hosts. They also will ride the trolley for a tour of family and historic sites.